Follow the money: Campaign Finance Receipts paint fundraising picture

Monday

Aug 6, 2012 at 6:00 AM

As the Aug. 7 primary election nears, candidates for state and local offices have released their first sets of donor and expense reports. The reports compile private as well as corporate donors and campaign expenses.

Patrick Clement

As the Aug. 7 primary election nears, candidates for state and local offices have released their first sets of donor and expense reports. The reports compile private as well as corporate donors and campaign expenses.

Senate Primary Race

In the 33rd District State Senate race, incumbent Ruth Teichman only raised $14,427 more than her opponent, current Kansas 114th District House Rep. Mitch Holmes, but has relied heavily on previous year campaign funds.

Holmes raised $30,105 in contributions between Jan. 1 and July 30, beginning the year with a zero balance and received his first donation on June 20.

Seventeen of his 78 donors contributed the maximum $1,000. Wohlgemuth & Daniel Investments of Topeka, The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, former 117th House District Rep. Larry Powell, Congressman Tim Huelskamp's American Freedom PAC and The Kansas Credit Union Action Committee were among the maximum donors along with a number of private citizens.

Holmes spent $22,970 on his campaign before July 30, $12,297 on sign supplies, $484 on direct mail and $9,330 on advertising ($8,039 on radio and television ads and $1,291 on newspaper ads). He spent $6,093 on advertising between July 23 and July 30.

Holmes reported a cash balance of $7,135 remaining in his campaign fund.

Teichman raised $44,532 between Jan. 1 and July 30, beginning the year with a balance of $81,008 and received her first donation on Jan. 7. As of July 30 Teichman had received $125,540 in combined campaign funds from 2011 and 2012.

Thirteen of Teichman's 176 donors contributed the maximum $1,000. The Senate Republican Leadership Committee, The Ark Valley Education PAC, The Kansas Star Casino Employee PAC, The Kansas Medical Society PAC, Kansas State Firefighters PAC, Kansas Realtors PAC and Topeka-based The Koger Agency were among the maximum donors along with a number of private citizens.

Teichman spent $100,598 before the July 30 filing deadline, out spending Holmes nearly 5-to-1. She spent $50,688 on media buys ($35,503 on radio and television ads and $15,185 on newspaper ads), she also spent $ $35,354 on direct mail and $5,731 on sign supplies, although it was unclear for some itemized expenses whether they were direct mail expenses, sign supply expenses or a combination of both.

Teichman made a large direct mail push between July 17 and July 26, spending $17,954 in a 10-day period, and paid a Virginia-based poling company $3,500 on July 22.

Teichman also made $12,055 in TV buys from KWCH, Cox Media, KSN and KAKE on July 25-26.

Teichman reported a cash balance of $24,942 remaining in her campaign fund.

House or Representatives Primary Race

Dodge City Community College Professor John Ewy, who is facing University of Kansas political science major Mitchell Rucker in an incumbent-free 117th District Republican primary, raised $3,220 between June 15 and July 26.

Ewy loaned his campaign $3,000 and received donations from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce PAC, The Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality PAC, the Kansas Beverage Association and TUG Oil, an oil and gas exploration company, as well as a number of private donations. Ewy also received a $500 donation from former 117th House District Rep. Larry Powell. Ewy also received $220 in $50 or less donations, which are not required to be itemized. He had no itemized donations from Kiowa County residents. Ewy spent $3,227 of his contributions on "campaign and speaking clothes," magnetic signs, t-shirts, campaign palm cards, and yard signs.

He received donations from private donors only, including a $100 donation from a Kiowa County resident.

Rucker spent $638 on a function at the Larned Chamber of Commerce, yard signs and fliers.

He reported having $301 dollars in his campaign account on July 26.

Local Races

Only three local candidates filed campaign contributions and expense forms with the county clerks office. Candidates who spend more than $500 are required to file an expense report.

Kiowa County Sheriff candidate Paul Alvarez reported raising $1350 during the filing period, which included a $500 personal contribution.

Alvarez received five itemized donations over $50. Kook's Meat donated $250, Club One Fitness in Great Bend donated $150 and Alvarez received an additional $200 from individuals.

Alvarez spent $1,059 on signs and sign making supplies and $90 on advertising in the Kiowa County Signal. He also reported a $50 expense to rent the Boy Scout cabin.

Alvarez stated that he had $111 remaining on July 26.

County Attorney candidate J. Scott James reported $1,519 in campaign expenses, spent on meals, sign supplies and door hangars. He also spent $25 on a list of primary registered voters. James did not list any contributors and reported no remaining cash as of July 26.

Kiowa County Clerk Kristie Odle reported raising $947 during the filing period. She received two donations of $300 and $297 from individual donors and reported total contributions of $350 from donations under $50.

Candidates are not required to itemize donations under $50.

Odle reported $680 in campaign expenses including $210 on advertising in The Kiowa County Signal and The Merchants Directory as well as sign making supplies and postcards.

Odle reported having $267 remaining on July 26.

Candidates are required to submit their next statements by Aug. 5 to account for late pre-primary contributions. Candidates that win their primary will not be required to file again until Oct. 25.